For the Love of Chocolate – the Return of the Deathcake!

Tags

chocolate, Cupcake Royale, cupcakes, Deathcake Originale, Deathcake Royale, Love, Seattle, Valentine's Day

Looking for ways to give some love this Valentine’s holiday? The Deathcake Royale is back and deathier than ever!

Last year around this time I admitted to my deep and abiding love affair with chocolate, and revealed to you the one treat that I would die for, the Deathcake Royale – a Cupcake Royale exclusive, available for a limited time.

Well, I have fallen even further!

The Deathcake Royale has returned again, as it does each year in honor of Valentine’s Day. BUT this year, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Cupcake Royale, it is joined by the return of the Originale. The one that started it all!

I received a sample of this decadent little treat (with HUGE chocolate flavor) during the height of my work haze last month as I planned the Opening Night Party at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, and it was my savior through the crazy town that is event planning. (But I do love it!)

There’s a little bit of chocolate madness going on right now over at Cupcake Royale so let me break it down for you.

You can get your sweet hands on death by chocolate three different ways:

1. Baby Deathcake Royale – a selfish two-bite treat; The new recipe features sea-salted chocolate decadence, Stumptown espresso cookie crust and Theo milk chocolate ganache. Don’t miss out – Available through February 16th only!
2. Deathcake Royale 3-pack – same as the Baby, but packaged up to gift and share. Only available through February 16th!
3. Deathcake Royale Originale – aka the original Mack-Daddy of the Deathcake Family weighing in at 1/3 pound treat that launched Deathcake 10 years ago! The new recipe packs a powerful bite. Rich sea salted dark chocolate flourless cake is folded over a delicious, melt-in-your mouth chocolate Stumptown espresso cookie and sumptuously glazed with Theo Chocolate ganache. It comes wearing a chocolate Royale crown. Decadence? You bet! They brought back The Originale for two days only (this Thursday and Friday). Pre-order to get yours! At all cafes and online as well as Metropolitan Market. It’s $6.65 – just a penny under evil!

Bring on the love as they say and make way for Deathcake this Valentine’s Day.

You can also sling Cupid’s arrow with Cupcake Royale’s Cupcake Grams. These whimsical cards are available in books of 6 in all cafes and online. Each Cupcake Gram can be personalized with a thank you message for someone special.

They are also bringing back the popular E-Grams, emailable Valentines that you can personalize and send for fun. These Valentine’s cards are good for one free cupcake at any of Cupcake Royale’s 7 cafes in Seattle. See these adorable E-Grams at http://sharelovecupcakeroyale.com/

And if all that is not enough to get encourage you to get your sweet tooth on, Cupcake Royale has one more treat in store for you! Pre-Order for Valentine’s Day and your next dozen is 50% off!

Choose from February’s most delectable cupcake flavors that will surely make your sweetie swoon including: Hilliard’s Smokin’ Stout, Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake, Nut ‘n’ Honey, and Strawberry Champagne. Available for delivery, and pre-order a dozen or more, and receive a 50 percent off coupon for your next visit.

How sweet is that?

Land of the Sweets – The Burlesque Nutcracker

Tags

burlesque, Burlesque Nutcracker, dinner theatre, Groupon Seattle, holidays, Land of the Sweets, Lilly Verlaine & Jasper McCann, Seattle, Triple Door

This season I feel like I have had very little time for enjoying the full holiday experience. But last night I slowed down just long enough to drive around and see some Christmas lights, and last week I attended the one holiday show that I just could not miss.

I recently wrote about local dinner theatre options on Groupon and made mention of Lily Verlaine & Jasper McCann Presents’ great production, Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker, performing at the Triple Door in Seattle.

What a fun alternative to your traditional holiday excursion! If you want something a little different this holiday season you must go! (It just might become a new tradition for you!)

But hurry! Tickets are going fast and many performances are selling out.

WHAT:

Lily Verlaine & Jasper McCann Presents…

Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker

Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann return to Seattle’s illustrious Triple Door for their 8th annual installment of Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker. A spectacle of pageantry, this year’s production will delight the newcomer and surprise return visitors to the Land of the Sweets. New cast members formerly of Spectrum Dance Theater and Ballet Bellevue make the dancing even hotter, and fashion enthusiasts will get a chance to see the famous “Stargazer” Dress created for Lily Verlaine’s performance at The Burlesque Hall of Fame.

WHERE:

The Triple Door

126 Union Street, Seattle

WHEN:

Through December 28, 2013:

Select Monday, 7:00pm (17+) and 10:00pm (21+)

Select Tuesdays, 7:00pm (17+) and 10:00pm (21+)

Select Tuesday, 5:00pm (17+) – Christmas Eve

Wednesday, 7:00pm (17+) and 10:00pm (21+)

Thursdays, 7:00pm (17+) and 10:00pm (21+)

Fridays, 7:00pm (17+) and 10:30pm (21+)

Saturdays, 7:00pm (17+) and 10:30pm (21+)

Sundays, 2:00pm (17+), 6:00pm (17+), 9:00pm (21+)

TICKETS:

$32.50-$57.50

General – $32.50-$47.50

VIP Seating – $42.50-$57.50

Box Office: 206-838-4333

Online Box Office here (www.LandoftheSweets.com)

PNWSwap – Christmas Swap

Tags

Bits of Sweetness blog, box swaps, Christmas, Gift Giving, Mail, PNWSwaps, Seattle

The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind for me. It is almost Christmas but it feels like it was just Thanksgiving. I guess that short season everyone is talking about really does have an effect!

In the midst of all the craziness the last couple of weeks I was so lucky to have received a package from my swap match from PNWSwaps, Khristena of Just One Grain blog.

It actually took me several days before I opened it and went through to see what I had received from Khristena.

And boy, was I excited to see all the goodies inside!

Love these snowflake ornaments – right up my alley. And a snowflake bowl to match!

How did she know that serving dishes are a big hit with me!

I’m saving these fun, colorful blowers for New Year’s! Thank you so much Khristena!

Here’s how the box swap works: all you do is sign up, tell a bit about what kinds of things you like and you are matched up randomly with another local person. You then do a bit of shopping, send your package out by the deadline and wait to receive yours.

Laura holds frequent box swaps here in the Northwest, so if you would like to join in the fun (anyone can participate – as long as you are local) in the next box swap, go and find out more here.

Here is a picture of the contents of the box I sent out to Tiffany of the Thyme of Taste blog – I had SO much fun shopping! It’s really amazing what you can get for $20.

Hope you enjoyed your package as much as I enjoyed putting together, Tiffany! Happy Holidays!

Chocomint Blossoms – The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2013

Tags

chocolate, cookie swap, Cookies, Cookies For Kids Cancer, holidays, peppermint, The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap

Whether it’s the act of baking cookies with family or friends, or leaving a few out for Santa with a nice glass of milk, cookies and the holidays just go together!

For the second year in a row I participated in the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap hosted by food bloggers, Lindsay from Love & Olive Oil and Julie from The Little Kitchen. 

This year, with 622 participants, the event raised a total of $13778.40 for Cookies for Kids Cancer, a national non-profit that raises money to fund research to find safer, more effective treatments for pediatric cancer. Thank you so much to this year’s sponsors, OXO, Gold Medal Flour, Dixie Crystals and Grandma’s Molasses.

It’s very simple how it works. Participating bloggers make a small donation to the fund and then receive the names and addresses of three other food bloggers across the country.

Each blogger bakes and mails three dozen cookies of their choice (one dozen cookies to each recipient) and in turn, also receives one dozen cookies from three other bloggers.

I had been seeing these fun-looking holiday cookies from Better Homes & Gardens (peppermint is a must this time of year!) online since last Christmas, and since I love all things chocolate (last year I made these chocolate and coconut no-bake cookies), I knew it had to be Chocomint Blossoms for my bloggers.

And they were so easy!

Through this event I was introduced to some wonderful new-to-me bloggers. I sent my cookies to these fabulous recipients:

• Koko Likes
• Persnickity Plates 
• The Baker Chick

Hope you liked the cookies ladies!

And I received the most delicious cookies from:

• Decadent Philistines Save the World (Winter Spiced Ale and Brown Sugar Cookies)
• Blahnik Baker (Butterscotch Gingersnap Molasses Cookies)
• Honey & Birch (Lavender Vanilla Crescent Cookies) Actually, these haven’t arrived yet. Poor Jenny has sent out two packages of cookies to me that have not made it to my doorstep – they keep getting stuck at the post office just miles away from my house – what’s up with that USPS??? Someone in their sort center is really having a cookie feast! Oh well, I am sure they must have needed them more than me!

If you are a food blogger and would like to participate next year, go here to sign up for the email list and they will send you information when signups occur.

If you would like to support Cookies for Kids, your donation would surely be appreciated – go here for more information.

What cookies are you baking up in your kitchen this holiday season?

this year we raised a total of $13,778.40 for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!
Read more at http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2013/12/bourbon-brown-butter-and-vanilla-bean-shortbread-cookies.html

this year we raised a total of $13,778.40 for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!
Read more at http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2013/12/bourbon-brown-butter-and-vanilla-bean-shortbread-cookies.html

this year we raised a total of $13,778.40 for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!
Read more at http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2013/12/bourbon-brown-butter-and-vanilla-bean-shortbread-cookies.html

Holiday Gifting With KuKuRuza Popcorn & A Giveaway!

Tags

gift sets, Giveaways, holidays, KuKuRuZa, popcorn, Seattle, shopping

UPDATE: This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Tana! Hope you enjoy your delicious flight of popcorn!

Food makes some of the best gift options for those on your holiday shopping list who are hard to buy for. When I purchase a food gift for someone I like to go local and show off the fantastic selection of artisan purveyors we have here in the Northwest.

KuKuRuZa Gourmet Popcorn is owned and operated by a local Seattle family and has been handcrafting gourmet popcorn varieties since 2008. They have a high standard of quality in craftsmanship and service, and strive to provide the best popcorn available, offered in a wide variety of flavors ranging from Hawaiian Salted Caramel and Truffle Fromage Porcini to Coconut Macaroon. At KuKuRuZa, it is their passion to create distinct and unforgettable flavor combinations.

In addition to their regular offerings, their artisan popcorn also comes in special seasonal flavors, which this time of year includes Pumpkin Spice Pecan, Peppermint Cocoa and Eggnog Brandy.

And for your New Year’s Eve party? KuKuRuZa has the pop for your celebration. Strawberry Champagne popcorn, available from December 28 through January 31, a lightly sweet strawberry coating on air-popped popcorn, topped with chunks of dried strawberries. It actually fizzes in your mouth! This is a perfect addition to your festivities and a great way to ring in the New Year!

KuKuRuZa is making your holiday shopping easier this year with their Holiday Gift Guide featuring stocking stuffer sized bags of popcorn, a mug perfect for teachers gifts and office gift exchanges, variety packs, flight cartons and of course, their gift tins!

If you order online now through December 2 and enter the code EARLYSHOPPER13 before checkout, you will receive 15% off your order (excluding shipping).

In addition to their four international shops, KuKuRuZa has three distinctive stores in the Seattle area – the Downtown Seattle shop, within sight of the landmark Pike Place Market, where there is always something popping, the Ballard shop, located in the bustling Ballard neighborhood, and the recently opened Bellevue Square location in the heart of Bellevue Square Mall.

If you live in the area, stop in to any KuKuRuZa Popcorn shop on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, and for every $10, customers will receive one free Flight Bag.

To celebrate the kickoff to the holiday season, the nice people over at KuKuRuZa have offered me one Flight Carton (Seven – 1.5 cup bags of any flavor in stylized box – ready to be gifted!) to give away to one of my lucky readers.

The winner can pick up their gift at one of the stores, or can have it mailed to them.

To enter the giveaway: Simply go to the KuKuRuZa website and then come back here to leave a comment telling me which KuKuRuZa flavor you already love or would like to try.

Extra Entries – (You must leave a comment on this blog for each one that you do.)

• Like KristinPotPie on Facebook
• Follow KristinPotPie on Twitter
• Like KuKuRuZa on Facebook
• Follow KuKuRuza on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway and include @KristinPotPie and @KuKuRuZaPopcorn in your tweet

This giveaway will end Midnight Pacific Time, Monday, December 2. I will choose one winner from the comments on my blog Tuesday (December 3) morning and will email the winner. Winner will have 24 hours to respond before I choose an alternate winner.

Good luck!

Simple & Elegant Holiday Appetizers

Tags

appetizers, Brie, Butternut squash hummus, Simple & Crisp, Simplicity, Taste of Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Whole foods Market

We are hosting Thanksgiving again at our house this year, so last night hubby and I worked in earnest on our menu. With only six of us around the table this year we are planning an intimate feast.

My goal though? To keep it simple and really revel in the time together, rather than spending the entire day squirreled away in the kitchen.

Last week I attended the Taste of Thanksgiving event at Whole Foods Market and sampled some of the great items they have to offer that promise to make your holiday meal preparation more simple.

As we planned our Thanksgiving menu and assigned things for people to bring I realized that my favorite part of the meal is not really the meal at all, but the pre-meal. The snacks.

It whets everyone’s appetite and sets the tone for the gastronomic experience ahead.

Hummus is one of my go-to appetizers and this Butternut Squash Hummus recipe has a wonderful autumnal twist to it that is perfect for the Thanksgiving table.

Serve it simply with some cut fresh vegetables and crackers, or fancy it up by pre-scooping a small amount onto individual leaves of endive.

Beautiful!

Brie is always a crowd-pleaser, but you can dress it up by adding a fruit spread or topping.

Warm your wheel of brie up a bit in the oven, and then top it with some Sour Cherry Spread.

A fig spread can also bring one of the most wonderful flavors of fall to this appetizer.

To make it even more decadent just sprinkle some crushed Marcona almonds or caramelized walnuts over the top.

What other toppings can you think of to use? Cranberry sauce would be fitting – or even pomegranate seeds.

Speaking of fruit and cheese combos – have you seen these elegant dried fruit slices from Simple & Crisp?

The pear option is an excellent fit for a fall themed meal. And a wonderful gluten-free offering for your guests.

Such an easy pre-dinner bite to make when served simply with a local cheese.

If you’re bringing snacks to someone elses house this year, consider these hot dips. The Shrimp Creole Hot Dip and Jalapeno Crab Dip from Whole Foods each come in their own re-usable ceramic ramekin. All you have to do is warm it up in the oven.

When the meal is finished you can gift the container to your host -  appetizer and hostess gift in one! LOVE that!

To make Thanksgiving even easier, Whole Food Market has posted some great tips for you on their Holiday Cheat Sheet page. Here you will find recipes, DIY gift and decor ideas and even Turkey 101!

Or you can simplify even further and order your entire dinner, pre-made, from Whole Foods. All you have to do is heat and serve!

This year, do yourself a favor and make it all about ease.

Keeping it simple will give you more time to enjoy a little glass of something with your loved ones to toast what you are thankful for.

Dijon-Butter Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Tags

Brussels sprouts, butter, dijon, recipes, roasting vegetables, side dishes, Thanksgiving

As it turns out, I will be hosting the big day this year so I am busying myself with planning my Thanksgiving menu.

One of my favorite vegetable side dishes for the holidays is Brussels sprouts. They are so versatile and just down right delicious! The key (in my kitchen ) is roasting the heck out them until they are crispy and carmelized.

Last week I found this great stalk of sprouts at the store and just couldn’t wait for the holidays to cook them up.

When I posted a photo on Facebook, I realized just how passionate you all are out there about your Brussels sprouts.

I asked my friends if they wouldn’t mind sharing with you how they prepare theirs.

Here are a few of their ideas for you:

• Roast them in coconut oil. (Denny)

• Slice 1 lb of sprouts in half, brown in 1/2 butter & olive oil. Place in baking dish. Brown 1/2 lb pancetta, place in baking dish. Salt & pepper to taste, add 1 box of chicken broth to frying pan to get all the flavored bits from the pan, and add to baking dish. Bake in oven at 375 until liquid is all evaporated and serve. (Louise, aka my mother!)

• Steamed with lemon browned butter sauce (melt butter in pan, cook until milk solids turn brown, add lemon juice, toss with brussels sprouts) (Nicole)

• Tossed in olive oil and roasted in the oven, then dipped in cheese fondue! (Nancy)

Here’s how I made mine. (This is a recipe also developed, and taught to me by, my mother):

Dijon-Butter Roasted Brussels Sprouts

• 1 stalk Brussels sprouts
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Break Brussels sprouts from the stalk. Trim the bottom of each sprout and wash them really well. Remove the outside layer of leaves from each sprout. Cut an x into the stem of each sprout for more even cooking.

Place sprouts in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for five minutes.

While the sprouts are boiling prepare the glaze. Place butter and mustard in a microwave proof bowl and cook on medium in the microwave until butter is melted (about 20-30 seconds). Whisk the butter and mustard into a smooth paste.

When Brussels sprouts are done boiling, drain them and add the butter/mustard mixture to the saucepan with the sprouts. Coat them evenly and then pour the coated sprouts out onto a baking sheet. Salt and pepper to taste.

Bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes until they are nice and caramelized – be sure to take the sheet out and give it a good shake at the halfway point so that the Brussels sprouts brown more evenly.

What is your favorite vegetable to serve or eat for the holidays?

How do you make your Brussels sprouts? Do you steam them or roast them? Do you coat them before cooking or season them afterwards?

‘Taste of Thanksgiving’ at Whole Foods Market

Tags

cooking, Farestart, holidays, Taste of Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Whole foods Market

I know, I know.

I don’t want to think about it either.

In fact, I am in denial that November has even begun, but it’s true -  Thanksgiving is almost here.

Last year I hosted at my house but it looks like my husband’s cousin has the honor this year. I am relieved, I must say. I love entertaining, and while I will miss setting a beautiful table (my favorite part, of course!), I am just feeling kind of overwhelmed these days and am happy to have someone else take on the task of cleaning their house AND preparing the big meal.

The one thing that I am a bit sad about this year is that my 16 year old son won’t be with us. But he is looking forward to spending some time on the East Coast with his grandparents in Boston, as well taking a mini-trip from there to New York to spend a day or two after Thanksgiving in New York City with two of my favorite uncles!

I am somewhat jealous actually. New York at Christmas time! It is so magical in the City that time of year. Maybe I will just have to stow-away in his luggage…

Are you traveling this year or hosting at your house?

If you are like me and not at all prepared for the big turkey-eating holiday, join me this Thursday at Whole Food Market for a fun pre-Thanksgiving preview event that will help you get in the spirit of the season and plan for the big day!

Sample a ‘Taste of Thanksgiving’ at Whole Foods Market:

WHAT: Join Whole Foods Market for its annual “Taste of Thanksgiving” and enjoy a spread of the holiday offerings. Shoppers will have the chance to sample everything from specialty turkeys, to organic and healthy alternative side dishes, to the stuffing and all the fixings.

A $5 donation will provide shoppers with a full plate and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to support FareStart, a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals.

If inspired for your own Thanksgiving meal, Whole Foods Market shoppers can order online at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/online-ordering

WHO: The Taste of Thanksgiving in-store events are open to the public.

WHEN: Thursday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Whole Foods Market store locations throughout the greater Seattle area.

Ice Cream Social at Whole Foods Market

Tags

ice cream, Ice Cream Social, July, National Ice Cream Month, non-GMO, summer, Whole foods Market

Whole Foods Market

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? How perfect is that? I don’t think there is any better treat to enjoy in summer than ice cream!

This Saturday, July 27th from 2-5pm, just in time to celebrate National Ice Cream Month, Whole Foods Markets across the nation will be hosting a company-wide Ice Cream Social to help support the non-GMO Project and introduce consumers to dairy free and vegan options.

WHAT: Whole Foods Market is celebrating National Ice Cream Month with a company-wide Ice Cream Social for a sweet cause. From 2 to 5 p.m., shoppers can enjoy FREE samples of frozen treats, including dairy-free, low-fat and vegan selections. To top it off, when shoppers purchase a So Delicious or Three Twins Organic frozen treat*, these companies will donate $1 to the Non-GMO Project, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the use of non-GMO ingredients and verifying products that avoid GMOs.

WHEN: Saturday, July 27 from 2 to 5 p.m.; special deal from noon to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Whole Foods Market store locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including all Seattle area stores.

WHY: To help shoppers cool off, celebrate the season and find their perfect scoop — all while supporting social change. To get the full scoop on the Non-GMO Project and its verification process, visit nongmoproject.org.

FYI: Whole Foods Market recently announced that by 2018, all products in its U.S. and Canadian stores must be labeled to indicate if they contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). With this announcement, Whole Foods Market became the first national grocery chain to set a deadline for full GMO transparency.

*On July 27 only. Not applicable for single servings. Local time. U.S. & Canada stores only. Selection varies by store. While supplies last. No rain checks.

Here are some of the special activities that will be happening at the local Seattle area stores:

·         Whole Foods Market Westlake will be offering beer ice cream floats at the new Spike + Steam for $6. Visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts of each beer float tasting on social media using the hashtag #WFMicecream and the Twitter handle @WFMSeattle.

·         Whole Foods Market Bellevue will feature a local Barbershop Quartet singing all the classics.

For a sweet treat idea, try this delicious Chocolate Chip Cherry Ice Cream Float recipe from Whole Foods Market.

What is your favorite summertime treat?

A 4th of July Hot Dog Cookout

Tags

4th of July, blue, Claudia Pearson, cookout, Dog plates, Hot dog topping bar, Hot Dogs, Metal Drink Bucket, Metal Drink Dispenser, My Drap Cloth Napkins, Outdoor entertaining, paper straws, patriotic, Red, summer, Tablescapes, West Elm, White

Can you believe that it’s July already?!

The terrific folks over at West Elm Seattle have provided me with some great items to dress up my patriotic table for this upcoming weekend’s festivities.

So as a preview to the long holiday coming up, we took advantage of the beautiful weather this past weekend to break in our brand new built-in firepit.

With a hot dog and smores feast!

This Outdoor Metal Drink Dispenser, with rope handles, is a classy looking way to serve your outdoor beverages.

I love the removable lid. It makes it so easy to refill – because when you have a crowd, you don’t want to have to fuss.

On my summer bucket list this year? Learning to make my own lemonade! I can see I will get ALOT of use out of this dispenser!

West Elm even carries these red and white paper straws to make your patriotic table drink station all the more festive. (The blue glasses are my own – from my dollar store collection.)

When the weather chills off in the evening (or if you live in the Pacific Northwest where we tend to have trouble lighting our soggy sparklers!) a few blankets provided for your guests are always welcome.

This Outdoor Metal Drink Bucket (good for icing drinks as well, of course) is perfect for holding a couple of cozy coverups! It would be great for towels too if you are hosting a pool party.

To keep those messy hands clean at your BBQ, instead of paper napkins, why not go a bit more classy?

Cloth napkins dress things up but, when you are feeding a crowd, you may not have enough to go around – these cloth napkins on a roll are ingenious for summer gatherings!

My Drap tear-off napkins are washable and re-usable.

Think upscale paper towels! Love these!

I used one for the bottom of my hot dog bun basket (baskets are also from my own stash of patriotic decor.)

What is more iconic for the all-American holiday than the mighty dog?

And these fun Claudia Pearson Dog Plates from West Elm are a fun way to add some whimsy to your hot dog cookout!

A hot dog topping bar is a great way to elevate the ordinary hot dog, and to make sure that even your pickiest eater gets what they want!

Everyone can customize their own dinner!

Here are a few ideas for items to add to your hot dog topping bar:

• Traditional condiments -  yellow mustard, ketchup, mayo, bbq sauce
• Mustard – Dijon and deli mustard are a great start but there are so many great varieties out there. Homey mustard, spicy, brown, stone ground, German – even beer mustard!
• Ketchup – there are also many different recipes for making your own ketchup. Try your hand at making your own flavor. Have you ever heard of rhubarb ketchup? Delicious!

• Cheese – You can put out traditional sliced cheddar, but also try shredded mexican, crumbled blue cheese, cream cheese mixed with fresh chopped herbs – the sky’s the limit!
• Pickles – I used sliced pickles (these sandwich stackers fit perfectly in a hot dog bun!) but there are so many ways you can go with this, from different types of relish to the pickled vegetable (peppers would be awesome!) of your choice.
• Onions of course! Red, yellow, sweet – whatever you like!

• Bacon – we like to make bacon-wrapped hot dogs by wrapping raw bacon around the uncooked hot dog and then grilling it, but along those same lines, you could add a bowl of chopped cooked bacon to your topping bar.
• Salsa – again, the choices are limitless. A plain pico de gallo is nice but a sweet fresh mango salsa would really kick this party up a notch.
• Chili – I always serve bean-less chili with my dogs but a chicken or vegetarian chili would be just as tasty.
• Go spicy! A great hot sauce, Sriracha or even wasabi adds a bang to this holiday fare.

What is your favorite hot dog topping?

I was not financially compensated for this post. I received samples for review purposes only. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.